Pan | Raising Children Network

Story

Pan is the story of how Peter Pan (Levi Miller) comes to live in Neverland. Peter grows up in an orphanage in London. One day Blackbeard’s (Hugh Jackman) pirates kidnap Peter and the orphan boys and take them to Neverland. While he is held captive by Blackbeard, Peter becomes friends with James Hook (Garrett Hedlund). Together Hook and Peter escape Blackbeard and travel to see the people of Neverland. The warrior Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara) tells Peter about a prophecy that says that one day her people will defeat Blackbeard with the help of a boy who can fly. Peter must learn to believe in himself to save Neverland and fulfil his destiny.

Themes

Loss of a parent; children as victims; pirates

Violence

Pan has some violence. For example:

Fighter planes bomb London. The scenes don’t show explosions, but they do include the sounds of bombs and explosions.
A nun in the orphanage punishes Peter by hitting him with a cane.
Fighter planes try to shoot down the flying pirate ship while Peter is on board. Peter almost falls out of the boat but is saved at the last minute.
There is an ongoing war between the pirates and the natives of Neverland. Throughout the movie they fight with swords, guns and cannons. But none of the fight scenes show blood and gore.
Tiger Lily slaps Hook.
Blackbeard kills the leader of the Neverland natives.
Blackbeard burns fairies with fire, but the fairies eventually throw Blackbeard overboard to his death.

Sexual references

Pan has some sexual references. For example:

Hook occasionally flirts with Tiger Lily.
The fairies show Pan a dream sequence where he learns that his father turned human for one night to save Pan’s mother, and Pan was the child of their love.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Pan shows some use of substances, including when Blackbeard breathes in fairy dust to stay young.

Nudity and sexual activity

None of concern

Product placement

None of concern

Coarse language

None of concern

Ideas to discuss with your children

Pan is an exciting action movie that tells the magical story of how Peter Pan came to Neverland. The movie is about the importance of believing in yourself and standing up for your beliefs. It also emphasises the importance of family and of having a place to call home. It’s ideal for children over 10 years.

We don’t recommend Pan for children under 7 years, and we do recommend parental guidance for children aged 7-10 years. This is because of the movie’s violence, and its scary and distressing scenes.

Values in Pan that you could reinforce with your children include bravery and kindness. This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about whether violence is the right way to solve problems.